Ears Again Full of Wax — Audiologist Recommended Ear Irrigation — Recommendations?

[Mark A]

Can any of you recommend any decent ear plugs? I have some ear-dial ones I bought from amazon. They are ok-ish. I have small ear canals so I struggle to keep general ones in. Also they seem to irritate me. Meaning, when I talk or touch my head etc it's really loud inside. If that makes sense...

I suggest custom plugs. Most audiologist can make them. They put foam in your canals and send the molds out. About $150 and can take a week to make. They can be made small to be fairly inconspicuous.

 

[Chilliwoman]

I suggest custom plugs. Most audiologist can make them. They put foam in your canals and send the molds out. About $150 and can take a week to make. They can be made small to be fairly inconspicuous.

I need to make an appointment with one but the referral service will take months! I'm not even bothered about the size of them and dont care if people seen them. I just want some good protection. Thank you for your advice.

 

[aot]

Hey guys. Really scared and frustrated right now.

I visited an Audibel hearing center today for both a hearing test, and getting some custom plugs made. The audiologist checked my ears, and they're filled with wax. I saw it on the screen and I can attest that it was pretty gross. It's probably because I use earplugs everyday, as I take the bus to work and it can get pretty loud.

I need to get them cleaned before the test or ear plugs can happen. So I can either go to my doctor or an ENT and have them do it, and I've heard enough horror stories for that to not be an option. Or I can do it myself. They sold me an ear cleaning kit.

I did have my ears cleaned a few months ago, early December I think, via ear irrigation. I was aware of the risk but was so desperate that I went along with it anyway. It made my tinnitus switch ears, but overall made it softer and easier to bare.

But I'm still really scared. My tinnitus is so much more manageable now, but I'm also developing unilateral hyperacusis and I don't want to make anything worse. I lucked out the last time, but what about this time? And I don't want the wax to cause problems either.

Advice is desperately needed.

Here's the kit, if it matters.

 

[aot]

Hey guys. Really scared and frustrated right now.

I visited an Audibel hearing center today for both a hearing test, and getting some custom plugs made. The audiologist checked my ears, and they're filled with wax. I saw it on the screen and I can attest that it was pretty gross. It's probably because I use earplugs everyday, as I take the bus to work and it can get pretty loud.

I need to get them cleaned before the test or ear plugs can happen. So I can either go to my doctor or an ENT and have them do it, and I've heard enough horror stories for that to not be an option. Or I can do it myself. They sold me an ear cleaning kit.

I did have my ears cleaned a few months ago, early December I think, via ear irrigation. I was aware of the risk but was so desperate that I went along with it anyway. It made my tinnitus switch ears, but overall made it softer and easier to bare.

But I'm still really scared. My tinnitus is so much more manageable now, but I'm also developing unilateral hyperacusis and I don't want to make anything worse. I lucked out the last time, but what about this time? And I don't want the wax to cause problems either.

Advice is desperately needed.

Here's the kit, if it matters.

View attachment 39756

Update: Just used it today, and everything went well. I've never done this before, and it's very different than the ear flushing done in a Doctor's office.

Tinnitus has just made me so paranoid, you know?